I thought the 21yo was hot, the 23yo however is rye to the umptenth degree.

08-03-2012, 08:10

Bmac

Re: Show Us Your Stash -- Volume 3.0 (The Subliminal Verses)

I keep seeing that Elmer T Lee bottle in everyone's collection. Is that the standard Elmer T Lee i see in the stores or is it a special release?

08-03-2012, 08:17

AaronWF

Re: Show Us Your Stash -- Volume 3.0 (The Subliminal Verses)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tico

Ive had the 23 once and found it way too woody

The 21 is sublime though

Quote:

Originally Posted by OscarV

I thought the 21yo was hot, the 23yo however is rye to the umptenth degree.

I'm with Oscar. For me, the V23, though oaky, has that sublime cherry-tobacco wood profile prevalent among a host of well-aged whiskeys distilled in the mid-80s. I only had one taste of the V21 and found it very underwhelming.

08-03-2012, 08:33

bad_scientist

Re: Show Us Your Stash -- Volume 3.0 (The Subliminal Verses)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronWF

I'm with Oscar. For me, the V23, though oaky, has that sublime cherry-tobacco wood profile prevalent among a host of well-aged whiskeys distilled in the mid-80s. I only had one taste of the V21 and found it very underwhelming.

Maybe the V21 bottle had been open for too long, or perhaps for not long enough.

Since you like the V23, you might like Lenell's Red Hook Rye, or the older Willett 23 year ryes. Those were my personal holy grails (SW can go jump in a lake), and I finally got to have a Lenell's last month. It was a bit sour and really, really woody to my taste. I don't think I found the V23 sour, but the extremely oaky profile of the Lenell's reminded me of the V23.

I'm with Oscar. For me, the V23, though oaky, has that sublime cherry-tobacco wood profile prevalent among a host of well-aged whiskeys distilled in the mid-80s. I only had one taste of the V21 and found it very underwhelming.

Aaron, I am surpised on this one as I usually agree with your WhiskeyWonka reviews. I have to say I find the Vintage Rye 21 to be far better than the tired and over-oaked 23 - these two whiskeys are not even close. In fact, I think with its perfect amount of wood and still vibrant profile, the 21 may be one of the greatest ryes ever. I encourage you to re-taste the Vintage 21; my bet is you had a bad sample and a second try will not leave you underwhelmed.